Despite cracked concrete, corroded steel, leaking expansion joints, broken anchor bolts, worn bearings, potholes and dozens of other deficiencies, the Mount Hope Bridge “continues to function as designed.”
That’s according to a June 2024 inspection report released Friday by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority in response to a federal lawsuit filed against the agency and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) by the town of Bristol. The lawsuit came after repeated denials to the town’s requests for a copy of the inspection report on the nearly century-old span connecting Bristol to Portsmouth.
“The inspection process is comprehensive and identifies even minor maintenance needs long before they become larger concerns,” Lori Caron Silveria, RITBA’s executive director, said in a statement to Rhode Island Current. “Maintaining the Mount Hope Bridge is an ongoing task, and we remain committed to investing in its preservation so it continues to serve Rhode Islanders safely for generations to come.”…